Fold-away bunk bed

ABSTRACT

A fold-away bunk bed including a supporting framework to which two bedsprings, an upper bedspring and a lower bedspring, are hinged; the bedsprings have at least two working positions: an open position, in which the bedsprings are in a horizontal position, and a closed position, in which they are in a vertical position and are substantially included within the framework. Each one of the bedsprings is hinged to the framework by an independent articulated structure that is contained in a lateral shoulder of the framework.

The present invention relates to a fold-away bunk bed.

As is known, traditional bunk beds include two beds arranged one abovethe other at a certain distance, advantageously aligned, utilizing spacein a vertical direction and limiting horizontal space occupation, whichis comparable to that of a single bed.

These bunk beds are constituted by a supporting structure, which isconstituted by four vertical posts mutually joined by a series ofhorizontal longitudinal members, which form two supporting surfaces forthe bedsprings and the mattresses.

On one side of the bed, the structure includes a ladder for access tothe upper bed and a safety side rail.

To reduce space occupation further, at least when the bed is not in use,so-called fold-away bunk-beds are used in which the two bedspringsrotate about a long side and are closed inside a fixed framework.

The structural supporting members, including the ladder and the siderail, also are closed generally inside the fixed framework.

The panels that support the beds are coupled to the fixed framework,which also acts as a support; the presence of this coupling conditionsthe thickness of the framework, which must not only contain the bed whenit is folded away but must also allow mutual engagement.

EP-0431851, U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,384 and FR-2732567 disclose fold-awaybunk beds of the type described above, wherein two bedsprings areconnected by an articulated framework which allows the two bedsprings tomove, together, from a folded position to an horizontal position, andback.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a fold-away bunk bed thatis improved with respect to the bunk beds of the cited prior art.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide afold-away bunk bed that has an extremely limited space occupation inboth working positions, the open one and the closed one.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bunk bed with a systemfor the articulation of the movable bedsprings that is structurallycompact and reliable.

Another object is to provide a bunk bed that is advantageous both from afunctional standpoint and from an esthetic standpoint.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bunk bed whichallows to open and close each bedspring independently.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparenthereinafter are achieved by a fold-away bunk bed comprising a supportingframework having at least two shoulders to which two bedsprings, anupper bedspring and a lower bedspring, are hinged; each of saidbedsprings having at least two working positions: an open position, inwhich said bedsprings are in a horizontal position, and a closedposition, in which said bedsprings are in a vertical position and aresubstantially comprised within said framework; said bed beingcharacterized in that each of said bedsprings is hinged to saidframework by means of an independent articulated structure that iscontained in said lateral shoulders of said framework.

Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent fromthe description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of theinvention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of the fold-away bunk bedaccording to the present invention, shown in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the bed in the closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bed in the open position in the conditionfor use;

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the bed in theclosed position;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional side view of the bed in a step of themovement of the upper bedspring;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional side view, from the opposite side withrespect to the preceding figure, showing the bed in the open position inthe condition for use;

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the bed in thepartially open position, with the upper bedspring inclined at 45°;

FIG. 8 is a broken plan view, showing the bed in the open position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional broken plan view showing the bed in the openposition;

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the upper coupling region of theladder;

FIG. 11 is another side view of the upper coupling region of the ladder;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the lower coupling region of the ladder.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the adjustable foot.

With reference to the cited figures, the bunk bed according to theinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises asupporting framework 2, to which two bedsprings, an upper bedspring 3and a lower bedspring 4, are hinged.

The two bedsprings have at least two working positions: an openposition, in which the bedsprings are in a horizontal position, and aclosed position, in which the bedsprings are in a vertical position andare substantially included within the framework 2.

Each bedspring 3 and 4 is hinged to the framework 2 by means of anarticulated structure, designated by the reference numerals 5 and 6respectively, which is contained within the lateral shoulder of theframework 2.

The upper bedspring 3 is constituted by a tubular frame 7 that is hingedto the articulated structure 5 by means of a rotation pivot 9, whichengages a seat provided in a plate 11 that is integral with the shoulderof the framework 2.

A lever 13 has an end that is hinged at the pivot 9 and a free end thatis hinged to the stem of a gas cylinder actuator 15.

The cylinder of the gas cylinder actuator 15 is hinged to the plate 11of the articulated structure 5.

The frame 7 has a rear bar 17, in which two locking pins 19 arearranged, one on each side.

On one side, a locking pin 18 is actuated, in contrast with a contrastspring, by means of an actuation lever 21 that is substantially insertedwithin the tubular frame 7 and has a grip member 23 that can be accessedby virtue of a lateral opening of the tubular frame 7.

By pulling the grip member 23, the actuation lever 21 extracts the pin19 from the locking seat of the plate 11 and, by means of a transmissionassembly, constituted by a cable 25 and pulleys 27, extracts the otherpin 19 as well, leaving the frame 7 free to rotate about the rotationpivot 9.

The articulated structure 5 of the upper bedspring 3 has three lockingpositions of the pin 19, which correspond to the open position (FIG. 1),to the closed position (FIG. 2) and to a partially open position, shownin FIG. 7, in which the bedspring 3 is inclined downward byapproximately 45° to make it easier to make the bed.

The lower bedspring 4 has a tubular frame 8 hinged to the articulatedstructure 6, by means of a rotation pivot 10. The pivot 10 engages aseat provided in a plate 12 that is integral with the shoulder of theframework 2, in a manner similar to the upper bedspring.

A lever 14 has an end hinged at the pivot 10 and a free end hinged tothe stem of a gas cylinder actuator 16.

The cylinder of the gas cylinder actuator 16 is hinged to the plate 12of the articulated structure 6, in a manner similar to the upperbedspring, with the only difference that the gas cylinder actuator 16 ofthe lower bedspring 4 can have smaller dimensions than the upperbedspring, because the 45° position is not provided for the lowerbedspring.

Like the upper bedspring 3, the frame 8 of the lower bedspring 4 has arear bar in which two locking pins are arranged, one for each side.

On one side, a locking pin is actuated, in contrast with a contrastspring, by means of an actuation lever that is inserted substantiallywithin the tubular frame 8 and has a grip member that can be accessed bymeans of a lateral opening of the tubular frame.

By pulling the grip member, the actuation lever extracts the pin fromthe locking seat of the plate and, by means of a cable and pulleysystem, extracts also the other pin, leaving the frame 8 free to rotateabout the rotation pivot 10.

The articulated structure 6 of the lower bedspring 4 has two pin lockingpositions, which correspond to the open position (FIG. 1) and to theclosed position (FIG. 2).

The fold-away bunk bed 1 also includes a ladder 30 which, in the openposition of the bed, is engaged first with the frame 8 of the lowerbedspring 4 and then with the upper frame 7.

The ladder is locked in an operating position by means of two knobs 31,which arm themselves during the engagement step and must be pulled inorder to release the ladder and remove it.

The bunk bed 1 also includes protective barriers for each bedspring: anupper protective barrier and a lower protective barrier, both designatedby the reference numeral 40.

Each barrier 40 is constituted by two parts: a first part 41, which isfixed to the frame of the respective bedspring, and a second part 42,which is articulated with respect to the first part by virtue of gears43.

The two parts of the barrier are folded, when the bed is in the closedposition, and arm themselves, during opening, locking themselves in asubstantially vertical position, with a slight inclination, in the openposition of the bed.

During closure, the barrier is released by acting on a release button,that is arranged laterally and, in the closed position, the second part42 rests on the mattress 50, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

The barrier 40 is provided with a padding, not visible in the figures.

The fold-away bunk bed according to the present invention may alsocomprise adjustable feet 60, arranged at the outer corners of the lowerbedspring 4.

Each adjustable foot 60 comprises a foot body 61 hinged to the bedspring4 by means of a ball bearing, not visible in the figures.

The foot body 61 has a spring locking means adapted to lock the foot 60in the vertical position.

The foot body 61 has longitudinal seats for a slider 62 which is movablewith respect to the foot body 61.

An adjustable member 63 may be adjustably fastened to the slider 62 bymeans of bolt 64 which clamps the adjustable member 63 against dentedregions 65 of the slider 62.

While opening the lower bedspring 4, the foot 60 rotates about its ballbearing and keeps a vertical position by gravity.

When the lower bedspring 4 is in the horizontal position, the foot 60 isvertical and perpendicular to the floor.

The weight of the lower bedspring 4 makes the slider 62 slide into thefoot body 61 and lock therein.

The adjustable member 63 allows to adjust the height of the adjustablefoot 60.

The fold-away bunk bed according to the present invention ischaracterized by the articulation system of the fold-away bedsprings, inthe shoulder of the supporting framework, which contains the rotationpivot and the gas cylinder actuator.

Advantageously, the bed is enclosed in a housing.

Contrary to the prior art fold-away bunk beds, the bunk bed according tothe present invention has a fully independent actuation mechanism andeach bedspring may be deployed independently from each other.

The system for locking the bedsprings, by means of the lever inserted inthe tubular frame thereof, ensures the horizontal position of thebedspring and, in the case of the upper bedspring, the 45° inclinedposition, in order to make it easier to make the bed, ensuring thestability of the bedsprings, in the horizontal position, without the aidof feet resting on the ground.

The supporting frame 2 is fixed to a wall in an upward region.

The ladder 30 has the purpose of increasing the stability of thebedsprings, discharging part of the weight to the ground. The ladder isnot part of the articulation system and may be used only if necessary,when the upper bedspring is deployed.

Another advantage of the bunk bed according to the present invention isdue to the articulated padded barrier, which includes a mechanism forautomatic locking and articulation.

This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No.MI2012A000624, filed on Apr. 17, 2012, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

1. A fold-away bunk bed comprising a supporting framework having atleast two shoulders to which two bedsprings, an upper bedspring and alower bedspring, are hinged; each of said bedsprings having at least twoworking positions: an open position, in which said bedsprings are in ahorizontal position, and a closed position, in which said bedsprings arein a vertical position and are substantially comprised within saidframework; wherein each of said bedsprings is hinged to said frameworkby means of an independent articulated structure that is contained insaid lateral shoulders of said framework.
 2. The bunk bed according toclaim 1, wherein each of said bedsprings comprises a tubular framehinged to said articulated structure by means of a rotation pivot; saidrotation pivot engaging a seat provided in a plate that is integral withsaid shoulder of said framework.
 3. The bunk bed according to claim 2,wherein said articulated structure comprises a lever that has an endhinged at said pivot and a free end hinged to a first end of an elasticmember; said elastic member comprising a second end that is pivoted tosaid plate of said articulated structure.
 4. The bunk bed according toclaim 3, wherein said frame has a rear bar in which two locking pins arearranged, one for each side; on one side, a locking pin being actuatedby an actuation lever, in contrast with a contrast spring; saidactuation lever being inserted substantially inside said tubular frameand having a grip member that can be accessed by virtue of a lateralopening of said tubular frame; by pulling said grip member, saidactuation lever extracts said pin from a locking seat of said plate and,by virtue of a cable and pulley system, extracts the other pin as well,leaving said frame free to rotate about said rotation pivot.
 5. The bunkbed according to claim 4, wherein said articulated structure of saidbedspring comprises at least two locking positions of said pin, whichcorrespond respectively to said open position of said bed and to saidclosed position of said bed.
 6. The bunk bed according to claim 4,wherein said articulated structure of said bedspring comprises at leastthree positions for locking said pin, which correspond respectively tosaid open position of said bed, to said closed position of said bed andto a partially open position, in which said upper bedspring is inclineddownward at approximately 45°.
 7. The bunk bed according to claim 4,wherein it comprises a ladder; in said open position of the bed, saidladder is first engaged with said frame of said lower bedspring and thenwith said frame of said upper bedspring.
 8. The bunk bed according toclaim 7, wherein said ladder is locked in an operating position by meansof two knobs which arm themselves during the engagement step and must bepulled in order to release the ladder and remove it.
 9. The bunk bedaccording to claim 4, wherein it comprises protective barriers for eachbedspring: an upper protective barrier and a lower protective barrier.10. The bunk bed according to claim 9, wherein said barrier comprises afirst part, which is fixed to said frame of said bedspring, and a secondpart, which is articulated with respect to said first part by virtue ofgears; said parts of said barrier are folded, when said bed is in saidclosed position, and arm themselves, during opening, locking themselvesin a substantially vertical position, with a slight inclination, in saidopen position of said bed; during closure, said barrier is released byacting on a release button and, in said closed position, said secondpart rests on a mattress associated with said bedspring.
 11. The bunkbed according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one footassociated with said lower bedspring; said foot comprising a foot bodyhinged to said bedspring by means of a ball bearing and having a springlocking means adapted to lock said foot in a vertical position; saidfoot body having longitudinal seats for a slider which is movable withrespect to said foot body; an adjustable member being adjustablyfastened to said slider by means of a bolt which clamps said adjustablemember against dented regions of said slider; said slider sliding intothe foot body and locking therein by the action of the weight of saidlower bedspring on said foot.